When you see someone in their twenties in a wheelchair, do you assume they were born that way or were injured?

Question

One of my best friends is a quadriplegic going on 3 years now. The other day while out with him, he said he wondered whether people saw him as injured or having a birth defect.

What is your first impression? Please don't answer like "I see the person, not the disability.." or the like. I want first impression, please!

Warrior for Christ - why do you even bother answering if all you want is to make a political statement?

Answer 1

I dont assume anything. I feel compassion not pity and move on.

Answer 2

I have worked in trauma for many years, and I have seen many young patients become spinal cord injured through shootings, bicycle accidents, and motor vehicle accidents, but mostly gunshots to the neck or back, I do work in an urban environment....when I see a young person in a chair, honestly, I first think of an accident, especially if they look otherwise normal, conginital defects that cause a patient to be wheelchair bound are often accompanied by other outward signs of a birth defect, like the shape of the body or the proportions or facial features.

Answer 3

This day and age, with all the drama that goes on with kids these days, my first thought would be an accident. Alot of stupidity around these days and sometimes the kids get the short end of the stick. violent drama to gang violence, etc, etc. see what I'm getting at? So in my opinion i think it would be an accident.

=oP

Answer 4

Honest opinion-someone his age? I would probably think it was something that he was born with. Interesting question. It's just crazy sometimes the assumptions people make without knowing someone. I am guilty of this as well.

Answer 5

Not sure,I guess I would think injury.
Whatever happened I feel bad for them cause it must be hard at times.